"By God, it is a life skiff! But what's it doing this far out in space? And where did it come from?"
He got his answer, but from an unexpected source. For suddenly the audio crackled into activity. The voice of Lieutenant MacDonald came to them from midships.
"Captain! Captain Warren!"
"Yes? Yes, what is it?"
"It—it's Professor Bryant, sir."
"Bryant? What about him?"
"He's lying in the brig ... unconscious!"
"You mean—you mean Borisu attacked him? Seize the traitor! Bring him here immediately."
MacDonald's voice was anguished. "I can't, sir. That's what I'm trying to tell you. The cell door is open ... one of our auxiliary craft has been stolen from its cradle ... and Borisu—has escaped!"